Calling on Them

Patrol Prefecture.

After six consecutive failures in alchemy, it wasn't just Elder Lu who was anxious; Zhang Qing certainly was. The next day, the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He even managed to carve out time from his busy schedule to have a word with Lin Chang'an.

"Junior Brother, there's a decent shop in the west city. Do you remember Liu Yanran?"

Early in the morning, Zhang Qing found him again, speaking casually as he shook his head. "What a shame. It used to belong to Liu Yanran's mother, but now it's back to being a Wang family property."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an waved his hand dismissively. "You mean Steward Liu?"

When the Liu Family and the sect joined forces, they naturally had to interact. He certainly remembered Steward Liu.

"Yes, yes. Liu Family Head's sister went away for over a decade, thought she was dead, but then she suddenly returned with two daughters..."

As Zhang Qing jokingly recounted some amusing anecdotes, Lin Chang'an's eyes gradually narrowed. "Senior Brother Zhang, if you have something to say, just say it directly."

He didn't believe Zhang Qing would bring this up without reason. Zhang Qing grinned upon hearing this, a hint of cunning in his eyes.

"Junior Brother, Liu Family Head's sister had a shop in the market town, which she later left to her two daughters. Recently, the Wang Family forcibly took it back. This matter goes back decades; it's complicated."

Seeing Zhang Qing rub his hands together, Lin Chang'an's eyes showed amusement, but he feigned a look of sudden realization. "Senior Brother, are you talking about this shop!"

Zhang Qing grinned and nodded. He knew his junior brother well; sending women might not work, but sending wealth definitely would.

The two exchanged a look and then smiled. The Liu Family had fallen. Ostensibly, they had to protect it, but privately, they certainly couldn't work for free.

It seemed Zhang Qing had his eye on this, but now that he needed a favor, Zhang Qing was passing the benefit to him.

"Junior Brother, I heard the Wang Family has dealings with the Beast Taming Zhou Family in private."

With this remark from Zhang Qing, Lin Chang'an was instantly enlightened. It was like hitting two birds with one stone, and he'd even get a benefit for free.

Under the guise of it being Liu Family property, they could seize a Wang Family shop, gain a good reputation, and make a substantial profit.

However! When Lin Chang'an thought of Liu Yanran, a smile spread across his face. Perhaps he could have the best of both worlds.

"Junior Brother, you rest well. Senior Brother believes you'll succeed in your alchemy next time!"

As he left, Zhang Qing cupped his fists with a smile. Lin Chang'an also smiled and nodded, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

After Zhang Qing left, Lin Chang'an, who was listening to music alone in the main hall, lost his initial patience. He was currently in dire need of spirit stones, and now someone was delivering them to his doorstep.

"Go tell Qi Feng and Li Han to invite the Wang Family, who seized the Liu Family's shop in the west city, to come over."

"Yes."

West City Shop.

"I remember this used to be the Liu Family's shop. When did it become yours, Wang Family?"

Having learned quite a bit over the years, Li Han and Qi Feng stood before the shop, speaking provocatively. The Wang Family members, who had recently taken ownership, secretly lamented their misfortune but had to maintain a smile.

"Oh, it's our own people! Please, come in and have some tea."

"Shopkeeper Wang! Or should we say Steward Liu?"

Qi Feng raised an eyebrow, directly stating their business for the day. The Wang Shopkeeper, who was preparing to open a new business, stepped forward with a smile and cupped his fists.

"I am from the Wang Family. We've always done business with the sect. Senior Brother Zhang Qing knows me; we're all one big family."

With a raised eyebrow, Qi Feng gave Li Han a look. The next moment, Li Han coughed lightly and said coldly, "You said that was in the past. This is now!"

"Elder Lu has regulations. The Liu Family is our ally. Your actions, Fellow Daoist Wang, are not very appropriate!"

Qi Feng and Li Han spoke back and forth. How could the Wang Shopkeeper not understand? Although he felt bitter, he kept smiling.

"My dear fellow Daoists, you may not know this, but back then, the Liu Family Head married my sister and also took this shop, insisting it was part of her dowry. The Liu Family was powerful then, so we had no choice but to accept it."

Shopkeeper Wang explained with a hint of grievance. However, Qi Feng didn't listen and sneered.

"Who knows what happened decades ago? While it may be chaotic here, the rules within the market town must not be broken. This shop is still registered under the names of the Liu sisters in our Patrol Prefecture."

"I understand, I understand." The Wang Shopkeeper smiled broadly. "Our Wang Family had already prepared to visit Steward Lin. We've heard that Steward Lin has been refining pills, but we haven't had the chance."

In the midst of their conversation, Qi Feng and Li Han found two spirit stones in their hands. The three exchanged glances and smiled.

"My Senior Brother Lin has come out of seclusion."

Qi Feng's statement clearly indicated that Lin Chang'an had emerged from seclusion and was aware of the situation. Shopkeeper Wang's face lit up with smiles.

"Please wait a moment, esteemed guests. I will have my unpromising son prepare a small gift and will visit immediately."

Li Han and Qi Feng assumed Lin Chang'an merely wanted to reprimand his subordinates and smiled, nodding.

After Shopkeeper Wang entered the shop, his expression changed. Wang Sheng, who had been hiding at the back of the shop and witnessed everything, was filled with rage. Seeing his father enter, he immediately became angry.

"Father, aren't they just two useless cultivators at early Qi Condensation? Why do you have to act like this!"

"Silence!" Shopkeeper Wang glared fiercely at his son and snorted impatiently, "Who do you think I've been working so hard to build all this for? It's all for you!"

"Your uncle, Wang Youyun, has already disgraced our Wang Family. Now, you're the only one I can count on!"

Although Wang Sheng was only twenty, he possessed the strength of the fifth level of Qi Condensation. Seeing his son's cultivation, Shopkeeper Wang showed a rare hint of satisfaction.

"My son, remember, everything your father does is for you. Cultivate diligently, and you must reach late Qi Condensation in the future to bring glory to our Wang Family!"

He didn't dare to dream of Foundation Establishment. Within a thousand-mile radius, there were only a handful of families and sects with Foundation Establishment cultivators. Late Qi Condensation was already considered a master.

"Add triple the amount to the prepared gifts!"

Shopkeeper Wang's words made Wang Sheng's face change immediately. "Father! Isn't this going too far!"

Seeing his son's stubborn refusal, Shopkeeper Wang couldn't help but sigh. "If we had visited them first before, this would have been enough. But this time, they came to us, so this isn't enough."

"Moreover!" As he said this, Shopkeeper Wang patted his son's shoulder and said with a laugh, "This shop is still in the Patrol Prefecture under the names of those two brats. This time, we should take this opportunity to change it to our father and son's names."

"Hurry up and go, stop babbling. The Wang Family's future all depends on you."

Watching his son leave with dissatisfaction, Shopkeeper Wang couldn't help but scold him with a laugh, "You brat, you're even more stingy than your old man."